Cloves. This is a very popular spice. It comes from the aromatic flower buds of the Syzygium aromaticum tree. The unopened flower buds of the evergreen clove tree. It is black-brown in color and it is aromatic.
Kingdom: Plantae
Order: Myrtales
Family: Myrtaceae
Genus: Syzygium
Species: S. aromaticum
Binomial name: Syzygium aromaticum
Clove Trivia
- Oil extracted from cloves has been used in Indian Ayurvedic medicine, Chinese medicine, and even in dentistry.
Clove Buying Guide
- Online or physical store? Choose the latter because you can immediately inspect the product to see if it is pure or adulterated. Ordering cloves online is an opportunity often exploited by those selling adulterated cloves, unless, you are buying from a trusted and reputable vendor that sells online.
- You can buy cloves in the spice aisle of supermarkets and groceries. You can also try specialty stores, like spice shops. You can also order online via e-commerce websites.
- Read the news and check with your local store/shop where they source the cloves they sell, if there are any news regarding quality or safety issue on cloves sold on the market.
- Do not buy thin and flat cloves. These are usually used cloves, the oil already extracted, which means the cloves will result in a very weak taste/flavor. When buying cloves, look for plump and healthy cloves. These are the cloves that will give you intense flavor and aroma. If you have doubt about the whole cloves you just bought, try this test: put some whole cloves in water. If the cloves float vertically, it means these are fresh. If not, it means the cloves are old.
- Avoid questionable or shady vendors. Beware of “used cloves” which the authorities believe still circulate the market. Used cloves have been harvested of its oil, and therefore should be discarded. But some people try to cheat consumers by putting used cloves back in the market, going as far as infusing it with artificial fragrances so that the cloves smell good. The fragrance quickly evaporates and disappears during cooking, leaving no hint of clove flavor or taste tot he dish.
- Besides whole cloves and ground/powdered cloves, you can also buy clove essential oil.
Clove Production & Farming in Texas
There is no commercial-scale cultivation and production of cloves in Texas. Nonetheless, whole cloves or ground cloves are not difficult to find here in Texas. H-E-B sells whole cloves in a glass bottle which you can buy at the store on online. H-E-B is supermarket chain based in San Antonio, Texas. Walmart also sells whole cloves. There are many Walmart stores in Texas. Online orders anywhere in Texas is also an option for consumers looking to buy cloves.
Pesticides, Additives, and Chemicals
It is not unusual to find cloves (whole or ground/powdered) adulterated with cloves stems, even dust, dirt, stones and pieces of wood.
Even clove essential oil contains additives. Benzyl alcohol and vegetable oil are found in clove essential oil sold in the market.
Geography
Indonesia is number one when it comes to producing cloves. Madagascar, Tanzania, Comoros, and Sri Lanka also contribute to the global production of cloves.
Packaging
Cloves are sold in plastic, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles, or glass bottles with a lid that serve the purpose of storage as well as a dispenser (for ground cloves). The packaging includes cap shrink wrap for product safety and a label to make sure consumers are provided with the information they need, like ingredients, nutritional information, batch number, location of production and manufacturing, etc. You can also find cloves sold in plastic refill packs, single-use packets, or pouches, as well as in a resealable, moisture-proof aluminum-lined stand-up plastic or paper bag with a valve zipper.
Enjoying Cloves
Storage
Whole cloves should be kept in a ceramic or stainless steel container. Choose a dark or opaque container to keep the light out and prolong the shelf life of the cloves. Keep the container in a cool, dry, dark place. If you store whole cloves properly, expect them to last for as long as 4 years, while ground cloves can last for 3 years.
Cooking
Cloves are used in Asian, African, and Middle Eastern cuisines. It is commonly used when cooking meats or making curries. It is also used for making marinades and to add aromatic and flavor qualities to hot refreshments.
Nutritional Benefits
Cloves have been used as remedy for bad breath and tooth decay. It is also used to help alleviate digestive problems.
